Only a sophomore, Eddie Tuerk has plenty of time to make his college choice. His exploits on the football field have him starting the process at an early age.

The Class of 2024 defensive lineman from La Grange (IL) Lyons Township already reports scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Iowa, Michigan, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Plenty of other big-name programs are showing interest.

The Hawkeyes jumped in with an offer this summer after he visited campus. He returned to town for Iowa’s season-opener against Indiana on Sept. 4. He’s scheduled to be in Kinnick Stadium Saturday when No. 4 Penn State visits.

Tuerk (6-4, 240) really enjoyed looking around the school this summer. Experiencing a Hawkeye game day raised his interest level in the program.

“What stood out to me was the environment and energy that was brought to Kinnick by the Iowa fans and how much different the campus looked on game day compared to a normal summer day when no one was around,” Tuerk told HawkFanatic.com.

Assistant Seth Wallace is leading the Hawkeyes’ pursuit of Tuerk. They’re building a bond.

“I spent a lot of time talking with coach Wallace the past couple months and have gotten to connect with coach (Kelvin) Bell and coach (George) Barnett as well. My first impressions of all the coaches is that they are really some of the most genuine guys and give you the straight-up reality of college football rather than sugarcoating the experience for the recruiting eye,” Tuerk said.

“They also seem like they are not going anywhere any time soon based on the consistency the program has held itself to. Also, they all are very intelligent and smart people, especially coach Bell, who my family and I got to meet with in a position meeting.”

Much like current all-American Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum, the Hawkeye staff believes Tuerk could excel on offense or defense.

“Iowa’s coaches like the way I move as a lineman. They like my size and frame, and how I can develop onto either side of the ball. That’s why I’ve been in contact with both coach Bell and coach Barnett,” Tuerk said.

Tuerk would like to study Economics in college. Accounting also is a possibility.

“I’m very good with numbers and math,” he said.

The Hawkeyes appear well positioned early in Tuerk’s recruitment. They feature some of the characteristics he wants to see from a program.

“I’m very impressed with how Iowa has been playing this year and how they always usually have a winning record. I’m also impressed with how they develop players for the NFL,” he said.

Tuerk hasn’t set up any more campus visits yet but has a few schools in mind that he’d like to see.

“I want to head down for a Tennessee game as well as the Michigan game against Ohio state; maybe a Cincinnati game also,” he said.